The Queen met scores of staff who had worked through the night, shaking hands and sharing words with many, before visiting a ward where four young girls who were injured in the concert blast are recovering.

Millie Robson, 15, from Newton Aycliffe, Co Durham was wearing an Ariana Grande T-shirt as she met and shared words with the royal visitor.

Millie Robson, 15, with dad David. Picture by PA

The Queen asked Millie, who suffered injuries to her legs, if she had enjoyed the concert before the attack - prompting the teenager to reveal she had won two VIP passes and met the global superstar backstage.

The royal described the atrocity as "very alarming" and wished Millie a speedy recovery.

"It's not something you expect at all," the Queen said to father David, who was waiting at the exit of the arena for Millie when the bomb exploded.

The Queen told another victim Evie Mills, 14, and her parents: "It's dreadful. Very wicked. To target that sort of thing."

Queen Elizabeth II speaks to Millie Robson, 15, from Co Durham, father David, and her mother, Marie, during a visit to the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital to meet victims of the terror attack in the city earlier this week and to thank members of staff who treated them. Picture by PA